Sensor and vital sign information processing system

ABSTRACT

A vital sign information processing system includes a sensor configured to be attached to a living body, and an information acquisition apparatus configured to acquire vital sign information of the living body through the sensor. A first memory is disposed in the sensor and stores first site information indicative of a site at which the sensor is to be used. A second memory is disposed in the information acquisition apparatus and stores second site information indicative of a site at which the information acquisition apparatus is to be used. A processor disposed in the information acquisition apparatus causes the information acquisition apparatus to perform notification when the first site information and the second site information are not matched.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/014,710 filed Jun. 21, 2018, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-123298 filed on Jun. 23, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a sensor configured to be attached to a living body to acquire vital sign information, and to communicate with an information acquisition apparatus. The presently disclosed subject matter relates also to a vital sign information processing system having the information acquisition apparatus and the sensor.

Examples of a related art vital sign information processing system include a bedside monitor system (see, e.g., JP3958353B2). A bedside monitor system has an SpO2 probe, an example of a sensor, and a bedside monitor, an example of an information acquisition apparatus. The SpO2 probe is configured to be attached to a living body, and to be communicably connected to the bedside monitor. The bedside monitor is configured to acquire vital sign information through the SpO2 probe, and to calculate the arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the living body.

Medical facilities can include many sites. A site means a place having a specific purpose of use. Examples of a site include a critical care medicine area, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room, a laboratory, a hospital ward, and an MRI room.

An information acquisition apparatus like the one described above is installed in each site. A sensor like the one described above can be connected to an information acquisition apparatus installed in any site in so far as they are compatible under a same standard. Therefore, a situation may occur where a sensor used for a certain patient at a certain site is moved together with the patient to another site, and then connected to another information acquisition apparatus at the other site. As a result, an unintended variation may occur in stock information of sensors at each site.

There is also a possibility that the sensor moved to the other site is erroneously used. For example, a sensor for a neonate may be attached to a child.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed subject matter prevents a sensor for acquiring vital sign information from being erroneously used.

According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a vital sign information processing system includes a sensor configured to be attached to a living body, an information acquisition apparatus configured to acquire vital sign information of the living body through the sensor, a first memory disposed in the sensor, the first memory storing first site information indicative of a site at which the sensor is to be used, a second memory disposed in the information acquisition apparatus, the second memory storing second site information indicative of a site at which the information acquisition apparatus is to be used, and a processor disposed in the information acquisition apparatus. The processor causes the information acquisition apparatus to perform notification when the first site information and the second site information are not matched.

According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a sensor is configured to be attached to a living body to acquire vital sign information, and is communicable with an information acquisition apparatus. The sensor includes a memory configured to store information indicative of a site at which the sensor is to be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a vital sign information processing system according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process to be performed by an information acquisition apparatus of the vital sign information processing system; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a sensor of the vital sign information processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a vital sign information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. The vital sign information processing system 1 includes a sensor 2 and an information acquisition apparatus 3. The sensor 2 is configured to be attached to a patient 4 (an example of the living body). The information acquisition apparatus 3 is configured to acquire vital sign information of the patient 4 through the sensor 2. That is, the sensor 2 is configured to communicate with the information acquisition apparatus 3.

Examples of the sensor 2 include an SpO2 probe for acquiring the arterial oxygen saturation of the patient 4 as vital sign information, electrocardiogram electrodes for acquiring an electrocardiogram of the patient 4 as vital sign information, brain wave electrodes for acquiring the brain wave of the patient 4 as vital sign information, a cuff for acquiring the non-invasive blood pressure of the patient 4 as vital sign information, and the like. Examples of the information acquisition apparatus 3 include a bedside monitor and the like.

The sensor 2 includes a first memory 21. The first memory 21 may include a semiconductor memory and the like. The first memory 21 stores first site information 211 indicative of one or more sites where the sensor 2 is to be used. Examples of the one or more sites include a critical care medicine area, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room, a laboratory, a hospital ward, and an MRI room.

The first site information 211 may be written by a user via an information writing apparatus before using the sensor 2. The information acquisition apparatus 3 may be configured to function as the information writing apparatus. In a case where the sensor 2 is designed for specific use (e.g., a sensor which can be used only in an operating room), the first site information may be previously written during manufacturing.

The information acquisition apparatus 3 includes a processor 31 and a second memory 32. Examples of the processor 31 include a CPU and an MPU. The second memory 32 may include a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like. The second memory 32 stores second site information 321 indicative of one or more sites where the information acquisition apparatus 3 is to be used.

The second site information 321 may be written by a user via an information writing apparatus before installing the information acquisition apparatus 3. In a case where the information acquisition apparatus is designed for specific use (e.g., an apparatus which can be used only in an operating room), the second site information may be previously written during manufacturing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process to be performed by the information acquisition apparatus 3 under control of the processor 31. The process is performed when the processor 31 executes instructions stored in a memory (a ROM, a RAM, or the like).

First, the processor 31 causes the information acquisition apparatus 3 to determine whether a condition that enables communication with the sensor 2 is met (step S1). If the communicable condition is not met (N in step S1), the information acquisition apparatus 3 is caused to repeat the determination until this condition is met.

If the condition that enables the communication with the sensor 2 is met (Y in step S1), the processor 31 causes the information acquisition apparatus 3 to acquire the first site information 211 (step S2). The information acquisition apparatus 3 acquires the first site information 211 from the first memory 21 of the sensor 2.

Next, the processor 31 causes the information acquisition apparatus 3 to compare the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 with each other (step S3). The information acquisition apparatus 3 compares the first site information 211 acquired from the sensor 2, with the second site information 321 stored in the second memory 32.

If, as a result of the comparison, it is determined that the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are matched (Y in step S3), the processor 31 causes the information acquisition apparatus 3 to acquire vital sign information of the patient 4 (step S4). The information acquisition apparatus 3 acquires vital sign information of the patient 4 through the sensor 2.

If, as a result of the comparison, it is determined that the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are not matched (N in step S3), the processor 31 causes the information acquisition apparatus 3 to perform a notification process (step S5). For Or example the site indicated by the first site information 211 is a neonatal care unit, and that indicated by the second site information 321 is a hospital ward, for example, the information acquisition apparatus 3 performs notification.

The comparison result that the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are matched indicates a fact that the sensor 2 is used at a proper site. In contrast, the comparison result that the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are not matched indicates a fact that the sensor 2 not originally existed at the site is, for some reason, in communication with the information acquisition apparatus 3. For example, it is possible that the sensor 2 that was used with another patient at another site has been moved together with this patient to the site at which the information acquisition apparatus 3 is installed.

The notification process may cause a user to recognize this fact, and urge the user to replace the sensor 2. The notification may be at least one of visual notification, audible notification, and haptic notification. Examples of the notification process include a generation of an alarm sound, a lighting of an indicator, a display of a message, a generation of vibration, and the like. This can prevent the sensor 2 from being erroneously used.

The notification performed by the information acquisition apparatus 3 may include the first site information 211. For example, if the first site information 211 indicates a neonatal care unit, and the second site information 321 indicates a hospital ward, the information acquisition apparatus 3 may produce the notification that includes information indicating that the sensor 2 being used should originally be used in a neonatal care unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prompt a user to return the sensor 2 that should not be used at a site where the information acquisition apparatus 3 is installed, to the original site. This can prevent the sensor 2 from being erroneously used, and also correct an unintended variation in the stock of sensors at each site.

When the notification process is performed, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 , the processor 31 may control the information acquisition apparatus 3 to perform a restriction process (step S6). In the restriction process, the use of the sensor 2 communicating with the information acquisition apparatus 3 is restricted. Examples of the restriction process include an immediate prohibition of the use of the sensor 2, a setting of limitation of the number of usable times of the sensor 2, a continuous output of a notification message, and the like.

According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress a situation where a user continues to use the sensor 2 that should not exist at the site where the currently-communicating information acquisition apparatus 3 is installed. Therefore, the effect of prevention of erroneous use of the sensor 2 is enhanced.

The first site information 211 stored in the first memory 21 of the sensor 2 may include a plurality of sites where the sensor 2 can be used.

According to this configuration, the sensor 2 is allowed to be shared among the plurality of sites. For example, at sites among which a patient is moved relatively frequently, such as an operating room and an intensive care unit, an operation in which the same sensor is allowed to be used at both sites is more efficient. This enables a flexible operation while preventing the sensor 2 from being erroneously used.

As indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 , the processor 31 may control the information acquisition apparatus 3 to record information of usage history (step S7). As indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1 , the information acquisition apparatus 3 may record the second site information 321 indicative of the site at which it is installed, in the first memory 21 of the sensor 2 as usage history information 212. The usage history information 212 is readable by the information acquisition apparatus 3 or an information processing device.

The usage history information 212 is particularly effective in a case where the sensor is used while being moved among a plurality of sites (i.e., in a case where the first site information 211 includes a plurality of sites). By allowing a user to check, at the end of operation, the usage history information, the user can easily return the sensor to the site to which the sensor should belong. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an unintended variation in the stock of sensors at each site.

The recording of the usage history information 212 by the information acquisition apparatus 3 can be performed at any timing after the communication with the sensor 2 is enabled. It is however preferable that, as shown in FIG. 2 , the recording be performed after vital sign information is acquired.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent a situation where, when a user erroneously attaches a sensor to the information acquisition apparatus 3 instead of a sensor that should originally be used, unintended usage history information 212 is recorded. If it is recorded after the acquisition of vital sign information, there is a high likelihood that the sensor used for the acquisition is intentionally connected to the information acquisition apparatus 3. In order to achieve a same or similar effect, the usage history information 212 may be recorded when a period of time of communication between the sensor 2 and the information acquisition apparatus 3 reaches a threshold.

If, as a result of the comparison process (step S3) performed by the information acquisition apparatus 3, the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are not matched, and the usage history information 212 is recorded in the first memory 21 of the sensor 2, the notification by the information acquisition apparatus 3 may include the usage history information 212. The usage history information 212 may be displayed by the information acquisition apparatus 3, or output in the form of a printed report or the like.

The notification of the usage history information 212 is particularly effective in a case where the sensor is used while being moved among a plurality of sites (i.e., in a case where the first site information 211 includes a plurality of sites). By checking the notified usage history information 212, the user can not only become aware of the site to which the sensor is to be returned, and but also use this information in investigating a cause of an erroneous movement.

In a case where a sequence of sites indicated by the usage history information 212 as the sites at which the sensor 2 have been used matches a predetermined sequence, the processor 31 may cause the information acquisition apparatus 3 to perform the notification. The predetermined sequence may be a sequence which never happens in a usual medical procedure flow, or a sequence which must not exist. An example of such a sequence is a sequence in which an intensive care unit is followed by a critical care medicine area.

This configuration is particularly effective in a case where the sensor is used while being moved among a plurality of sites (i.e., in a case where the first site information 211 includes a plurality of sites). A movement of the sensor among the sites at which the sensor is allowed to be used but in a sequence that should not occur can be notified.

For example, in a case where the sensor 2 in which a critical care medicine area and an intensive care unit are stored as the first site information 211 is moved from the intensive care unit to the critical care medicine area, notification will not be performed only by a comparison with the second site information 321. When the usage history information 212 indicates the movement from the intensive care unit to the critical care medicine area, however, this impermissible movement of the sensor 2 can be identified.

As indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 , the information acquisition apparatus 3 can be communicably connected to an external management apparatus 5. With this configuration, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 , the processor 31 can control the information acquisition apparatus 3 to perform the notification process (step S8). The information acquisition apparatus 3 notifies the management apparatus 5 of the usage history information 212 that has been read from the first memory 21 of the sensor 2.

According to this configuration, a set of usage history information notified from the information acquisition apparatuses 3 installed in respective sites can be centrally managed by the management apparatus 5. This makes it easy to manage the stock of sensors a each site, and to monitor the actual use of the sensors.

As indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 , condition information 213 may be stored in the first memory 21 of the sensor 2. The condition information 213 includes information indicative of operating conditions of the information acquisition apparatus 3. Examples of the condition information 213 include background information of the patient 4 (e.g., age, disease, risk factors, applied treatments, and the like), and information of characteristics of the sensor 2 (a product number, use conditions, the number of uses, and the like).

If, as a result of the comparison process (step S3) performed by the information acquisition apparatus 3, the first site information 211 and the second site information 321 are matched, the processor 31 controls the information acquisition apparatus 3 to read the condition information 213 in the first memory 21 (step S9). The processor 31 controls the information acquisition apparatus 3 to acquire vital sign information based on setting according to the condition information 213. In the information acquisition apparatus 3, for example, measurement conditions according to the background information of the patient 4 and the characteristic information of the sensor 2 may be set automatically.

According to this configuration, even in a case where the sensor 2 is moved among a plurality of sites, and connected to different information acquisition apparatuses 3, identical information acquisition conditions can be easily set. This reduces a burden on a medical person relating to the setting, and improves the accuracy of acquisition of vital sign information.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the configuration of the sensor 2. The sensor 2 may include an attachment portion 22, a connector 23, and a cable 24. The attachment portion 22 is configured to be attached to the body of the patient 4, and includes a sensor device. The connector 23 is configured to allow the sensor to communicate with the information acquisition apparatus 3. The connector 23 may be directly connected to the information acquisition apparatus 3, or indirectly connected through a junction cable or the like. The cable 24 connects the attachment portion 22 to the connector 23. The cable 24 incudes a power supply line and signal lines necessary for acquisition of vital sign information.

In this example, the first memory 21 is preferably disposed in the connector 23 which is necessary for enabling communication with the information acquisition apparatus 3, so that the size of the attachment portion 22 to be attached to the body of the patient 4 can be prevented from being increased. That is, while providing the first memory 21 storing information for preventing the sensor 2 from being erroneously used, it is possible to prevent the patient 4 from feeling bothersomeness.

While the presently disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to a certain embodiment thereof, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor configured to be attached to a living body to acquire vital sign information, and communicable with an information acquisition apparatus, wherein the sensor comprises a memory configured to store information indicative of a plurality of sites at which the sensor is to be used, and wherein the information is stored in the memory during manufacturing of the sensor.
 2. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment configured to be attached to the living body, and a connector configured to allow communication with the information acquisition apparatus, wherein the memory is disposed in the connector.
 3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition apparatus is installed at one of the plurality of sites.
 4. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sites at which the sensor is to be used is a critical care medicine area, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room, a laboratory, a hospital ward, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room.
 5. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of sites at which the sensor is to be used is a critical care medicine area, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room, a laboratory, a hospital ward, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room.
 6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an SpO2 probe, electrocardiogram electrodes, brain wave electrodes, and a cuff, and wherein the information acquisition apparatus includes a bedside monitor.
 7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory further stores an usage history information, the usage history information is the usage history of the sensor.
 8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the memory further stores a condition information, the condition information includes information indicative of operating conditions of the information acquisition apparatus.
 9. The sensor according to claim 8, wherein the condition information includes background information of a patient and information of characteristics of the sensor.
 10. A vital sign information processing system comprising: a sensor configured to be attached to a living body; an information acquisition apparatus configured to acquire vital sign information of the living body through the sensor; a first memory disposed in the sensor, the first memory storing first site information indicative of a site at which the sensor is to be used; a second memory disposed in the information acquisition apparatus, the second memory storing second site information indicative of a site at which the information acquisition apparatus is to be used; and a processor disposed in the information acquisition apparatus, wherein the processor causes the information acquisition apparatus to perform a notification when the first site information and the second site information are not matched, wherein the notification is a visual notification, an audible notification, or a haptic notification, wherein the processor is configured to prohibit use of the sensor or limit a number of uses of the sensor, when the first site information and the second site information are not matched, and wherein the first site information and the second site information are written by a user via an information writing apparatus.
 11. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the sensor includes an SpO2 probe, electrocardiogram electrodes, brain wave electrodes, and a cuff, and wherein the information acquisition apparatus includes a bedside monitor.
 12. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the first memory further stores an usage history information, the usage history information is the usage history of the sensor, and wherein the information acquisition apparatus is configured to read the usage history information from the first memory and notify an external management device.
 13. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the first memory further stores a condition information, the condition information includes information indicative of operating conditions of the information acquisition apparatus.
 14. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the site at which the sensor is to be used is a critical care medicine area, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room, a laboratory, a hospital ward, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room.
 15. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to cause the information acquisition apparatus to perform acquisition of the vital sign information based on setting according to a condition information.
 16. The vital sign information processing system according to claim 13, wherein the condition information includes background information of a patient and information of characteristics of the sensor. 